These basses are very well built and they sound nice with a more diverse tonal palette than one might expect. They are not true hollow bodies though and seem quite heavy for their size with severe neck dive.

I looked closely at one and chose a Rogue viola bass instead http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/rogue-vb100-violin-bass-guitar I did so even though I suspected that the build quality on the Epiphone was probably better. I am very happy with the Rogue and it is a true hollow body. Sounds great with flats on it and only weighs 5lbs. Still has neck dive but not as severe as the Epiphone.

All that said, for a first bass I would be inclined to reccomend a Squier P bass, Jazz bass or similar.

I've fiddled around with a couple of the Epis, but not really played them (I'm a lefty; they're not). They seemed fine for the money-certainly not a German Hofner- and I did like the controls a lot. I'm sure the controls on Hofners and other violin basses make sense to someone; not to me, though. As for neck heavy; opinions differ, and I won't go there. And no, they're not exactly what you'd call a versatile instrument, but if a violin bass is what you want, by all means, please yourself. I have 2 of them; an old Korean Rogue, and a Starfire. Both work just fine for what I like to play.

Consider one of these: http://www.rondomusic.com/wvebvs.html
I briefly had a fretless one and it was excellent. Well built with powerful pickups. Probably on par with the epi but with less neck dive and better looking, IMO.

Consider one of these: http://www.rondomusic.com/wvebvs.html
I briefly had a fretless one and it was excellent. Well built with powerful pickups. Probably on par with the epi but with less neck dive and better looking, IMO.

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Someone on this august forum posted that both the Rondo and Epi are made in the same plant and are the same bass. I had an Epi viola. I'd still have it except that I got a Squier SS Jag that I liked better.

The good thing about them is being able to practice without an amp. I did not find the pickups to be particularly low output. I was playing through a MarkBass CMD 121P. I also found the bass to be more versatile than most suggest. It's better than just a "60s sound" bass, IMHO.

By the way, go to the Musician's Friend thread in the Hot Deals forum and email them. You can get them for a steal.